Vapor electric device



A ril 11, 1939. w. DAMITZ 2,154,264

VAPOR ELECTRIC DEVICE Filed Dec. 9, 1957 WITNESSES: INVENTOR Wa ZZer'Dam t2.

ATTORNEY Ell Patented Apr. 11, 1939 UNETED STATES PATENT OFFIQE.

2,154,264 VAPOR ELECTRIC DEVICE Walter Damitz, Berlin-Siemensstadt,Germany, assignor to Siemens-Schuckertwerke Aktiengesellschaft,Berlin-Siemensstadt, a corporation of Germany Application December 9,1937, Serial No. 178,943 In Germany December 12, 1936 6 Claims.

My invention relates to a vapor-electric device, and particularly to acombination make-alive mounting and spot fixing device.

In the operation of vapor-electric devices controlled by make-aliveelectrodes, it is desirable to maintain the make-alive electrode with aportance into the vaporizable reconstructing cath- However, because ofthe vaporizarc space.

According to my invention, a predetermined immersion of themake-aliveelectrode at any stage of the cathode level, as well as the provision ofa spot fixing body, is accomplished by providing fixing body for theattachment of the cathode spot in an arc type discharge device.

It is a further object cathode spot thereto.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from thefollowing detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawing, in which:

Figure l is a sectional elevation of a vaporelectric device embodying myinvention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of a modified form of support; and

Figs. 3 and 4 are plan views of the rafts disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2.

In the illustrative embodiment of my invention according to Figure 1,the converter comoperating condition of the converter.

Since it is desirable to maintain the makerially change the operatingcharacteristic.

The make-alive electrode 5 is connected to the raft 4 in any suitablemanner. Herein, I have i and the make-alive electrode suitable fasteningbe utilized.

a portion of the raft or float 4 of a material such as molybdenum,tungsten or other material which is capable of permitting the attachmentof the cathode spot without undue deterioration.

It will usually be found desirable to prevent the spot fixing body 4from contacting the walls of the container as in a vitreous or ceramiccontainer, the excess heat conducted to the conthe spot fixing body maycause cracking or other damage to the container wall and in the case ofa metallic container, contact with the spot fixing body might, in someinstances, cause the transfer of the cathode spot from the spot fixingbody to the container wall with resulting damage thereto.

In order to anchor the spot fixing raft 4 in the desired portion of thecathode 3, I prefer to provide a suitable guide Ill herein illustratedas an extension of the cathode current lead-in extending upwardly intothe cathode material and to provide a suitable cooperating portion onthe raft herein illustrated as a collar H supported on a dependentbracket H for loosely engaging the guide member ID, so that while theraft 4 is free to move in a vertical direction in response to thevariation of cathode level, the guide ill will prevent unnecessary orundesirable lateral motion of the raft 4, so that at all times the spotflxing body 4 and the make-alive electrode 5 supported thereby aremaintained in a predetermined position and relation on the surface ofthe cathode material.

In the modification according to Fig. 2, the float 4 proper is made ofceramic material and has attached thereto a spot fixing body in the formof a sheet metal annulus l5 clamped onto the ceramic float 4 by lugsiii. In certain instances, it may be undesirable to provide anupstanding guide in the cathode material. In such instances, the raft 4may be maintained in the desired position by constructing the lead-inconductor 20 connected to the make-alive electrode 5 of a materialhaving sufflcient rigidity to prevent lateral displacement of the raft 4or else provided with suitable joints so that the raft 4 is free to movein a vertical direction with the fluctuations of the cathode levels.

While for purposes of illustration I have shown and described specificembodiments of my invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in theart that many changes and modifications can be made therein withoutdeparting from the true spirit of my invention or the scope of theappended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. An arc discharge device comprising a container, a plurality of mainelectrodes therein, one of said main electrodes being of vaporizablereconstructing material, a make-alive electrode having a portion thereofextending into said cathode during normal operation thereof, a float onsaid cathode, an annular spot fixing body on said float and means onsaid float for supporting the make-alive electrode in predeterminedrelation to said cathode.

2. An arc discharge device comprising a container, a plurality of mainelectrodes therein, one of said main electrodes being of vaporizablereconstructing material, a make-alive electrode having a portion thereofextending into the cathode material during normal operation thereof, afloat on said cathode, an annular spot fixing body on said float, meanson said float for supporting the make-alive electrode in predeterminedrelation to said cathode, and means for limiting the lateraldisplacement of said float while permitting vertical motion of saidfloat.

3. An electric discharge device comprising an evacuated container, ananode in said container, a cathode of vaporizable reconstructingmaterial, a make-alive electrode having a portion thereof partiallyimmersed in said cathode during normal operation thereof, and means formaintaining the partial immersion of said make-alive electrode at apredetermined point regardless of fluctuation of the level of saidcathode material.

4. An electric discharge device comprising an evacuated container, ananode in said container, a cathode of vaporizable reconstructingmaterial, a make-alive electrode having a portion thereof extending intosaid cathode during normal operation thereof, a'raft floating on saidcathode material, said make-alive electrode being supported by said raftin predetermined relation to the cathode surface irrespective of thefluctuation of the level of said cathode material.

5. A vapor-electric device comprising an envelope, an anode and avaporizable cathode therein, a make-alive electrode extending into thecathode a predetermined distance for controlling said device and a floatfor maintaining said makealive electrode in said predetermined relationto said vaporizable cathode.

6. A vapor-electric device comprising an envelope, an anode and avaporizable cathode therein, a make-alive electrode'extending apredetermined distance into said cathode for controlling said device andsaid float for maintaining said make-alive electrode in a predeterminedrelation to said vaporizable cathode, said float having an annularportion in engagement with the surface of the cathode for damping outwaves in the oathode material.

VWALTER DAMTIZ.

